16 candidates chosen for Chester County SPCA's board

WEST GOSHEN — State Sen. Andrew Dinniman, D-19, of West Whiteland, and local attorney Jim McErlane said Thursday that they have selected 16 candidates to serve on the Chester County SPCA board after a deal was brokered last month calling for additions to the board.

The list of individuals nominated for the board include prominent veterinarians, attorneys and accountants, as well as the businessman whose family dogs were killed after entering a neighbor’s yard.

“The quality of the pool of interested candidates was astounding, and that made the selection process that much more difficult,” Dinniman said in a statement. “But it was a good problem to have. It gave us the ability to select a new Chester County SPCA Board of Directors with a jaw-dropping level of expertise in everything from animal welfare to nonprofit governance to fundraising.”

According to the statement, there will be four current members who will remain on the board, including its president, Conrad Muhly. The addition of these 16 individuals will fill 20 of the maximum 25 board positions.

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Dinniman and McErlane also reached out last month to Delaware County Council Vice Chairman Mario Civera Jr., who was asked to nominate individuals to represent Delaware County. Dinniman said this was because of the $30,000-a-month contract between Delaware County and the CCSPCA to take in the county’s strays.

The follow are the 16 individuals who were selected for the CCSPCA board, according to Dinniman’s office:

Peter Barsz, of Delaware County, a certified public accountant with experience on municipal, state and nonprofit advisory boards.

Steve Bazil, of Chester County, a local attorney who has worked with animal rescue organizations on legal matters and fund raising efforts.

Patricia Sons Biswanger, of Montgomery County, a commercial attorney from Bryn Mawr who is active in dog rescue and anti-puppy mill efforts.

William R. Bock, of Chester County, a businessman and Chester Springs resident whose family dogs, Argus and Fiona, were gunned down by a neighbor when they wandered into his backyard.

Joseph Daly, of Delaware County, police chief of Springfield.

Guy Donatelli, of Chester County, the chairman of the Upper Uwchlan Board of Supervisors, as well as an attorney and solicitor to local municipalities and school districts. He also has extensive experience with government and nonprofit boards.

Tom Garg, of Chester County, a local veterinarian, and legislative and policy chair for Pennsylvania Veterinary Medical Association.

Tom Hickey Sr., of Chester County, a member of the Pennsylvania Dog Law Advisory Board and founder and chairman of the political action committee, DogPAC.

David Long, of Chester County, a companion animal training consultant, owner of rescue dogs and former chief executive officer of the Coatesville YMCA.

Buzz Miller, of Montgomery County, founder and president of PACT for Animals.

Jennifer Muller, of Philadelphia, a veterinarian who owns her own practice in Philadelphia, serves on the Pennsylvania Dog Law Advisory Board and co-founded the Alliance for Philadelphia’s Animals, which seeks to create a no-kill shelter system through spay/neuter and adoption services.

Howard Nelson, of Philadelphia, a former executive director of the Washington, D.C., Humane Society and former chief executive officer of the Pennsylvania SPCA.

Karen Overall, of Chester County, a veterinarian, animal behaviorist, researcher and lecturer who serves as adjunct professor of veterinary medicine at Temple University and as editor-in-chief of Journal of Veterinary Behavior.

Keith Pension, of Chester County, a board member of Natural Lands Trust.

Marsha Perelman, of Montgomery County, a member of the Pennsylvania Dog Law Advisory Board and board member of the Humane Association of the United States.

Paul Rubino, of Chester County, a managing partner of a Paoli law firm and a lifelong pet owner.

According to the statement, these individuals were notified Thursday that they were chosen from a list of more than 50 individuals. They will be “picked and entrusted with addressing the operational challenges and philosophical differences” that have plagued the open access shelter in recent months.

“The one obligatory qualification we had for all our selections was a deep and sincere love of animals and a sincere commitment to their well-being,” McErlane said. “After that, we selected board members who together will provide the Chester County SPCA a balance of expertise in the wide range of issues a kennel or any nonprofit organization must confront.”

According to the Chester County SPCA, the new board members are a part of its initiative announced last month, Compassion in Action, following allegations of improper care and sky-high euthanasia practices from former and current volunteers and staff members. The initiative looks to accomplish goals such as increasing transparency, creating new staff and volunteer positions and partnering with more rescue shelters to give stray animals a home.

About the Author

Kendal Gapinski is the Daily Local News reporter covering events in the Whiteland and Uwchlan areas. She is a 2013 graduate from American University. Reach the author at kgapinski@dailylocal.com
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